If New HD Channels launch Sept. 10, where will they go?

[MAVERICK007]

I noticed DTV is now ahead of schedule and has asked the FCC for an earlier launch of HD channels. Targeting Sept. 3-10. So, where will DTV put the new channels, and when are they going to tell us??? :whatdidid

[krock918316]

They will put the channels in the guide, and they will let you know when the channels are ready for you to watch! :)

[Tom Robertson]

There has been lots of speculation and lots of "I don't know". So in two to four weeks, we'll know both here and in the guide. :)

Cheers,
Tom

[MAVERICK007]

They will put the channels in the guide, and they will let you know when the channels are ready for you to watch! :)

Any speculation as to how much re-arranging of channels will be done? I've seen some other threads say the HDs will just replace the current channel locations when they are simulcast.

[Michael D'Angelo]

Any speculation as to how much re-arranging of channels will be done? I've seen some other threads say the HDs will just replace the current channel locations when they are simulcast.

The HD channels will probably double up with the SD channels just like the MPEG4 HD locals and SD locals are.

[MAVERICK007]

The HD channels will probably double up with the SD channels just like the MPEG4 HD locals and SD locals are.

I also wondered if DTV would try to re-group some channels, like moving CNN to a channel closer to MSNBC, Fox, etc.

[Tom Robertson]

No insights on that right now. It might happen, but no clue as to if this would be the time or not.

Cheers,
Tom

[MAVERICK007]

They will put the channels in the guide, and they will let you know when the channels are ready for you to watch! :)

Seems like DTV would want to prepare it's customers for the big HD launch. Creating some buzz and publicity at the same time. So, one day we'll just have to stumble upon all this new HD content???

[Tom Robertson]

Seems like DTV would want to prepare it's customers for the big HD launch. Creating some buzz and publicity at the same time. So, one day we'll just have to stumble upon all this new HD content???

I expect you will see some marketing materials before the channels launch for just that reason. I'm not expecting a quiet launch.

Cheers,
Tom

[MAVERICK007]

I expect you will see some marketing materials before the channels launch for just that reason. I'm not expecting a quiet launch.

Cheers,
Tom

I agree! DTV will want to capitalize on this HD launch. Courting non-HD customers to upgrade, and attracting new customers as well!

[MAVERICK007]

I also wondered if DTV would try to re-group some channels, like moving CNN to a channel closer to MSNBC, Fox, etc.

Seems like the most opportune time for DTV to re-group some channels! ESPN closer to RSNs and News channels finally grouped together.

[lwilli201]

I also wondered if DTV would try to re-group some channels, like moving CNN to a channel closer to MSNBC, Fox, etc.

Seems that I heard, but can not verify, that CNN and ESPN have a no channel number change element in their carrage contract. That is why ESPN has not been moved to the 600's. The NFL Network may also have the same agreement. I would not bet on CNN or ESPN channel numbers to change.

[markrubi]

The HD channels will probably double up with the SD channels just like the MPEG4 HD locals and SD locals are.

If Vegas was taking bets on how D* is going to do it. My money is on this.

[Earl Bonovich]

Seems like DTV would want to prepare it's customers for the big HD launch. Creating some buzz and publicity at the same time. So, one day we'll just have to stumble upon all this new HD content???

I expect you will see some marketing materials before the channels launch for just that reason. I'm not expecting a quiet launch.

Cheers,
Tom


You mean you have missed all the commercials all year long?

[Stuart Sweet]

I would expect an even bigger push, though. Just a guess.

[sj4231]

From when I spoke to the customer service rep (several weeks ago), these will be distributed among the various programming packages and you will get "x" amount depending on your level of programming package.

Unfortunately, the rep could not detail what channels will go to what packages.

[Tom Robertson]

You mean you have missed all the commercials all year long?

Yes. I DVR 90% of what I watch. Don't you? :D

Or the other answer

Yes, but details, man! We need details. :) (And I haven't missed the many posts you've made regarding the details suspected.) :)

Cheers,
Tom

[EaglePC]

you think they'll drop those CH 70-100 /and double the SD like CH202 CNN then CNNH CH202

[Jeremy W]

Seems that I heard, but can not verify, that CNN and ESPN have a no channel number change element in their carrage contract.
They do. Why else would the company that owns Fox News allow a competitor to be channel 202?

[Jeremy W]

you think they'll drop those CH 70-100 /and double the SD like CH202 CNN then CNNH CH202
CNN HD would be first in the guide, but yes that is what they'll be doing.

[DawgLink]

Seems like the most opportune time for DTV to re-group some channels! ESPN closer to RSNs and News channels finally grouped together.

Amen, Amen, & Amen!

[Stuart Sweet]

I haven't heard anything about channels being moved other than what Earl's said, that HD channels which mirror SD ones will have the same numbers, like the way RSNs and locals are done now.

[Jeremy W]

I haven't heard anything about channels being moved other than what Earl's said, that HD channels which mirror SD ones will have the same numbers, like the way RSNs and locals are done now.
The current HD channels will be moved once they're converted to MPEG4, which could even be on day one of D10's operation. It would be nice to see the current channels in higher quality MPEG4.

[jamieh1]

Only bad thing about placing them next to the SD versions, is when surfing, and you have the HR20 or H20, H21 set to NATIVE is having to wait for the resolutions to change.
Guess if we dont like it that way we could delete the SD version out.

[jamieh1]

Is the D10 sat at the final orbital slot yet?

[Jeremy W]

Is the D10 sat at the final orbital slot yet?
It's in the testing slot right now.

[Legends]

I have goosebumps :hurah:

[MAVERICK007]

I saw in another thread that DTV applied to the FCC for an earlier launch of the HD channels, since they were "ahead of schedule". Which could move the new HD launch to sometime in the Sept. 3-11 window. Heard any different?

[MAVERICK007]

You mean you have missed all the commercials all year long?

There's no way anyone could miss the HD promos by DTV. Unless someone lives in a cave on a remote island without a Sat-go. :lol:

[armophob]

There's no way anyone could miss the HD promos by DTV. Unless someone lives in a cave on a remote island without a Sat-go. :lol:

Or owns a DVR.:lol:

[Newshawk]

They do. Why else would the company that owns Fox News allow a competitor to be channel 202?

Because the contract that CNN signed with D* predates the NewsCorp era... Sheesh!

[EaglePC]

Only bad thing about placing them next to the SD versions, is when surfing, and you have the HR20 or H20, H21 set to NATIVE is having to wait for the resolutions to change.
Guess if we dont like it that way we could delete the SD version out.

can we like block the SD in filter to change channs

[MAVERICK007]

You'd think that DTV would make a bigger, (huge, really) marketing push with the impending HD content launch than we've seen. Curious since they've got D10 safely in the sky, and they've asked for a earlier start date from the FCC.

[jal]

Every time Directv says they will "have the capacity" for 100 plus hd channels, they get hammered for not actually having them. So, its probably a good idea to wait a few weeks until the HD channels are up to start bragging.

[tonyd79]

can we like block the SD in filter to change channs

If I can translate your sentence into English (;)), yes. The guide and the up/down channel buttons will obey the favorite list you have active. Searches will still find the SD versions and anything else you may or may not get until they fix the channels I receive bug.

Anyway, set up a favorite in Menu > Favorites > Edit Settings then set the favorite as active in Menu > Favorites.

[MonyMony]

I don't see any new channel grouping happening. I read yesterday that the Big Ten Network that starts at the end of the month has been assigned channel 220. If D* was really going to group channels together and move things around, I doubt they would give this new channel such a low number.

[Jeremy W]

Because the contract that CNN signed with D* predates the NewsCorp era... Sheesh!
That's exactly what I said...

[harsh]

You'd think that DTV would make a bigger, (huge, really) marketing push with the impending HD content launch than we've seen. Curious since they've got D10 safely in the sky, and they've asked for a earlier start date from the FCC.Perhaps they spent too much money on Shatner and Simpson when the competition was adding channels.

The "bird in the hand" is a compelling argument.

[Jeremy W]

Perhaps they spent too much money on Shatner and Simpson when the competition was adding channels.
So if they wouldn't have hired Shatner and Simpson to do commercials, that would have somehow sped up the launch of these new channels? Is this how low you have to stoop now to bash DirecTV?

[TheRatPatrol]

you think they'll drop those CH 70-100 /and double the SD like CH202 CNN then CNNH CH202
CNN HD would be first in the guide, but yes that is what they'll be doing.
That makes sense, but I'd still like to see them map all the HD channels together, if you want to surf or watch just the HD channels.

[Jeremy W]

That makes sense, but I'd still like to see them map all the HD channels together, if you want to surf or watch just the HD channels.
If you want to surf, make a favorites list with all the HD channels in it. If you just want to see them together in the guide, choose the HD channels filter.

[TheRatPatrol]

If you want to surf, make a favorites list with all the HD channels in it. If you just want to see them together in the guide, choose the HD channels filter.
DOH! Forgot about those, thanks! :D

[harsh]

So if they wouldn't have hired Shatner and Simpson to do commercials, that would have somehow sped up the launch of these new channels?The question was why aren't they advertising the upcoming channels in case you got off track. Perhaps if they hadn't spent millions hyping what they didn't have, they would have more money to hype what they do.

They might even have been able to round out their movie channel offerings which seems to be the weekend's other hot topic.

[generalpatton78]

If you want to surf, make a favorites list with all the HD channels in it. If you just want to see them together in the guide, choose the HD channels filter.

Well for me I don't like the idea of the HD channels just being -1 of the SD counterpart. I usually wach only HD channels and use the single channel banner to check what's on and to set recordings. So having to press up twice to pass just one channel will not be fun. I could always adjust my filter for this, but it adds allot of hassle when I want to record something thats in SD. There are allot of shows that are in SD and may suffer from strech-o-vision on the HD counterpart. So if I edited out SD counter parts I'd have to switch my list any time I wanted to record something in SD instead of HD. However if we had a HD group and a SD group it would make things simpler for guide surfing.

[Jeremy W]

I'm just offering up suggestions on how to cope with the numbering scheme, because they're not going to change it.

[MAVERICK007]

I saw in another thread that DTV applied to the FCC for an earlier launch of the HD channels, since they were "ahead of schedule". Which could move the new HD launch to sometime in the Sept. 3-11 window. Heard any different?

Any news on an earlier than expected New HD launch??:shrug:

[generalpatton78]

Any news on an earlier than expected New HD launch??:shrug:

One of these days somebody is going to snap to these questions and post a fake press release saying "The new HD is here!".:eek: Right now I think it looks like a time frame from the 3-11 of September. The D10 thread in the D* General Dis. room has ALL the info that's available on the subject. Check about 10 pages back for the info that was cited for the launch time frame.

[paulman182]

Perhaps they spent too much money on Shatner and Simpson when the competition was adding channels.
The "bird in the hand" is a compelling argument.

I think the ads have paid off. I'd like to see a survey taken from the general population regarding as to which satellite provider the general public thinks is the "HD Leader."

Does the general public know about E*'s new channels? Even I am not sure what they are, although I know from this forum that they did add several.

Advertising doesn't cost, it PAYS.

[nick1817]

Assuming you don't live here, will people who use a custom list in their guide have to go back to the "all channels" to see the new additions?

[ShawnL25]

I was on the phone with DirecTV the other day and for grins I asked when the new HD channels would launch, hoping to get a firm date. It was retention they are usually pretty knowledgeable. Anyway I was shocked when he told me Late October early November, I told him I was under the impression it would be mid-September, he laughed and told me two months at the earliest. I know better but it would appear this is the information D* wants out. Curious

[packfan909]

I was on the phone with DirecTV the other day and for grins I asked when the new HD channels would launch, hoping to get a firm date. It was retention they are usually pretty knowledgeable. Anyway I was shocked when he told me Late October early November, I told him I was under the impression it would be mid-September, he laughed and told me two months at the earliest. I know better but it would appear this is the information D* wants out. Curious

This is speculative, but there is a lot of activity that says otherwise. Whether it is the emails, snail mail, or now the Channel 77 info about the BBC's it seems like we are closer than multiple months out.

pf

[ScoBuck]

I don't think it's speculative at all. The CEO of the company told the financial world on the last conference call that the channels will begin launching by END Q3.

I actually think you will see the beginning of the HD launch on/before September 12th.

[FHSPSU67]

I was on the phone with DirecTV the other day and for grins I asked when the new HD channels would launch, hoping to get a firm date. It was retention they are usually pretty knowledgeable. Anyway I was shocked when he told me Late October early November, I told him I was under the impression it would be mid-September, he laughed and told me two months at the earliest. I know better but it would appear this is the information D* wants out. Curious

I only know that I don't want to be anywhere near this site if the new HD isn't available by the end of September!:eek:

[mluntz]

Here's another question. If they move all the channels around, won't we have to change all the channels in our "To Do Lists"?

My wife will not be happy, But I will! She has about 35 of them right now, and the fall season hasn't even started yet!

[bakerfall]

Here's another question. If they move all the channels around, won't we have to change all the channels in our "To Do Lists"?

My wife will not be happy, But I will!

Since these new channels aren't technically replacing the old ones, I'm fairly certain all Series Links will need to be recreated. For instance, if you have a SL for Monk on USA, the SD USA isn't going away when the HD version comes out, so even if they are the same channel #, the SL would still have to be recreated.

In theory, it's not different then how the HD locals are handled.

[tonyd79]

The question was why aren't they advertising the upcoming channels in case you got off track. Perhaps if they hadn't spent millions hyping what they didn't have, they would have more money to hype what they do.

They might even have been able to round out their movie channel offerings which seems to be the weekend's other hot topic.

That is just silly.

Right now the ads they would want to run would be "HD is here!" or "HD will start on 9/19." They obviously can't do the first and the latter would be just stupid at this point because the exact date is going to be here.

You can bet on an avalanche of advertising when they are fully ready to go live.

Gee, they just produced an in-house infomericial on how to be ready. Seems all is going to plan.

Oh, and they can still run the ads they made earlier. But why bother? The word is already out there.

Finally, D* is not a cheaply run outfit so I seriously doubt that paying second grade stars like Shatner or Pam Anderson broke there bank. You are too used to hearing the E* poor-us plea.

[DCSholtis]

+1

That must be some strong kool-aid over on the dark side of E*.....

[MAVERICK007]

Called DTV today and talked to a technician. He said that we could possibly start to see a few new HD channels by the very end of August. Said some will be in the channel 70-80 range.

[Doug Brott]

Called DTV today and talked to a technician. He said that we could possibly start to see a few new HD channels by the very end of August. Said some will be in the channel 70-80 range.

Anything is possible. I'm sure DIRECTV wants to get these stations live as quick as possible. Right now, any launch date is speculative because they are still testing the satellite. What good does it do to say "soon" when it could be "tomorrow." It's not long now and I think we will all be happy.

[Smthkd]

Called DTV today and talked to a technician. He said that we could possibly start to see a few new HD channels by the very end of August. Said some will be in the channel 70-80 range.
But???? Isn't the 70 - 80 range ALREADY full??? :rolleyes:

[donshan]

After reading the rumors on the start up date on this thread I thought it would be useful to post some facts.

D* must receive permission from the FCC under a Special Temporary Authority (STA) to drift D10 from its present testing location to its operational position before they can legally broadcast anything to us.

If you have not read it, D* has requested this STA on August 16, but as of this morning FCC has not released any "Public Notice" that it has been approved, although it probably will be very soon. Here is the link to the actual language with this quote from the end of the request letter and note the word "commence":

Grant of the requested STA will serve the public interest by allowing DIRECTV 10 to commence operations in a timely manner to millions of Americans. Accordingly, DIRECTV requests the expeditious grant of special temporary authority.

http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/servlet/ib.page.FetchAttachment?attachment_key=-134304

I am still watching the FCC Public notices for an approval. Assuming that the STA is approved soon, D10 starts its move to 102.775 W "on or about" September 1. When it gets to that exact location and is stable is when I expect the first HD channels to appear. What date that happens is now just a guess. I don't think anyone knows exactly-probably not even the technical people in charge of it.

I am sure Boeing and D* will be double checking their lists to be sure everything is right before they throw the switches. If you have every watched a NASA launch the Mission manager polls a lot of people for a "GO" before launch. Every one of them have to be "Go" before we get HD. We just don't get to watch this one count down.

Like everyone I am anxious for that final "GO !:)

[purtman]

But???? Isn't the 70 - 80 range ALREADY full??? :rolleyes:

Chs. 72 and 77 are not. Right now they have the HD video on there.

[Newshawk]

Chs. 72 and 77 are not. Right now they have the HD video on there.
Channel 72 is ESPN2. You're thinking of Channel 92.

[cbearnm]

The 'could' invent numbers. They are not restricted to limits. The 900s are pretty clear. And as someone else mentioned we could even have the same number for both standard and HD verisons of channels, just like they do with locals. It's just a matter of what labels they want to throw on the transponders and where they map them.

[purtman]

Channel 72 is ESPN2. You're thinking of Channel 92.

You're absolutely right. Thanks for picking that up. Ask my wife. She'll tell you I certainly know channels 72 and 73.

[Fish Man]

As to moving any existing channels around, my guess is "not bloody likely." It seems to me that would open a heluva can of worms. People would have to reprogram lots of SL's (SP's) on their DVR's for one thing.

Since the SD version and HD version of our local channels simply have the same channel number with the HD version appearing first in the guide, I assume they'll do the exact same thing with any simulcast HD channels. Channels like Weather Channel-HD, Discovery-HD, Animal Planet-HD, A&E-HD, etc. will simply have the same channel number as their SD simulcast counterparts and appear "first" in the grid guide.

That's my guess.

[mcbeevee]

I'm sure D* does not want to penalize the SD-only customers by moving existing SD channels around. I bet the SD'ers are already jealous of all the HD channels we will be getting in a few weeks. :)

[EaglePC]

CH 84, 85,90,91,93,96,97 all open

[DawgLink]

I'm sure D* does not want to penalize the SD-only customers by moving existing SD channels around. I bet the SD'ers are already jealous of all the HD channels we will be getting in a few weeks. :)

Time to go to the bank and get a loan! New TV and service time! :D

[Doug Brott]

Any of the channels that have duplicates will pretty much have to be in the same location. I'm sure that the providers don't want to have to put two different channel numbers on there advertisements letting people know where to tune.

[GeorgeLV]

CH 84, 85,90,91,93,96,97 all open

96 and 97 are HD RSN channels in markets where available.

[mattgwyther]

CH 84, 85,90,91,93,96,97 all open

Hmmmn let's to the math..... <10 open channels in the 70-99 range. >70 channel promised at or near launch. Something tells me they won't put them all in this range. Just a hunch.

[nollchr]

Any of the channels that have duplicates will pretty much have to be in the same location. I'm sure that the providers don't want to have to put two different channel numbers on there advertisements letting people know where to tune.

I agree. There is already the precedence for this when they added YES HD - it showed up as a second instance of 622 in my guide.

[Tom Robertson]

Seeing the title of this thread from a different perspective (oh, oh, Tom's at it again, isn't he...)

If New HD channels launch before Sept. 10, where would they go? Would they move on Sept. 10? And what is Sept. 10?

Actually when I pulled it up an interesting entry came up: 1846 - Elias Howe gets a patent for the sewing machine.

My family has a working model of that patent as my great grandfather (i think) was part of the patent process for that patent. But I digress in my digression...

Ok, what if the new HD channels launch after Sept. 10? NOOOOOOO!!! So I won't ponder that possibility.

Don't worry, I'll be ok someday...
Tom

[cartrivision]

If you want to surf, make a favorites list with all the HD channels in it. If you just want to see them together in the guide, choose the HD channels filter.

Brand new HR20 owner here. Can you make multiple favorite lists on the HR20?

[Jeremy W]

Brand new HR20 owner here. Can you make multiple favorite lists on the HR20?
Yes, you can have two favorites lists.

[MizzouTiger]

Well, it appears that D* is able to simulcast the SD and HD content on the channel tonight. Channel 101 is showing the HD version of High School Musical and it is showing up as high def on both my HR20 and H20, but on my R10, it is showing in SD. If they are able to do it on this particular occassion, why couldn't it be done as the norm? Just wondering.

[Jeremy W]

If they are able to do it on this particular occassion, why couldn't it be done as the norm? Just wondering.
They do this on 101 all the time. The only thing is that on an HD receiver, there is no way to access the SD channel. This is fine for 101, because it's only on in HD when there is actual HD content. But for regular channels, they are HD 24/7, and they upconvert SD content. It's especially bad when it's a channel like TNT that stretches SD content. I'd rather watch the SD channel in that case.